Guyana Scrap Metal Exports Hit Hard by Government Curbs

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Guyana Metal Recyclers Association (GMRA) stated that the country’s scrap metal trade has taken a hit, primarily due to stricter restrictions imposed by the administration, aimed at curbing illicit trading activities. The government had allowed scrap metal trade to restart in April this year, following a six-month ban.

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The scrap metal exporters come under the surveillance of two units- an internal unit within the Ministry of Commerce as well as an external unit comprising of members from the Guyana Police Force among others. The trade must be in conformance with the recommendations and regulations outlined in the newly released policy document. It calls for packing of scrap metal in a specific yard, in presence of CANU officers, with 24-hour surveillance.

According to Stephen Bourne, General Secretary, GMRA, the new system that mandates export operations only twice per month has hit them very badly. The containers are prevented from being shipped off at expected time, owing to delay in obtaining permits from various departments, thus making them unable to meet the load requirements set by the buyers. He called upon the government to review the newly introduced export license renewal system, citing it as ‘challenging’ for most exporters.